A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Secondly, hereby we are admonished, as near as we can to conform our harts and lives, unto the word and will of God; for he will try us: wonderful it is to see how common the reproach of preciseness is, and if it were not well known that the world is full of Atheists, that might discourage many a Christian. But the remembrance of this trial, wherein hypocrisy will vanish as the stubble before the fire, must move us to labour for sincerity. When we have done our best, we shall be far short of that we ought to be. And therefore through the reproach of the world, let us hold on our good endeavour, and labour to have the main graces of true faith, and a good conscience, with a resolute purpose not to sin: that so we may stand in the day of trial. But if we want these, and live loosely, we shall be found like the foolish Virgins, that have only the blazing lamps of an outward Profession, and want the saving oil of grace, which may make us acceptable unto God at his appearing. We have been trained up in the School of Christ; what a shame will it be, if when Christ comes to prove us, we be then found barren and void of sound grace? David bethinking himself of this trial of the Lord, doth conform himself unto the will of God: and therefore offereth himself unto his trial, saying, ^dLord prove me: meaning in regard of the truth and sincerity of a good conscience, not of the perfectness of his own ways. And hereunto must we endeavour, not suffering any sin to reign in us.

Secondly, hereby we are admonished, as neere as we can to conforme our harts and liues, vnto the word and wil of God; for he will trie vs: woonderfull it is to see how common the reproch of presizenesse is, and if it were not well knowne that the world is full of Athiests, that might discourage many a Christian. But the remembrance of this triall, wherein hypocrisie will vanish as the stubble before the fire, must mooue vs to labour for sinceritie. When we haue done our best, wee shall bee farre short of that wee ought to bee. And therefore through the reproach of the world, let vs hold on our good endeauour, and labour to haue the maine graces of true faith, and a good conscience, with a resolute purpose not to sinne: that so we may stand in the day of tryall. But if wee want these, and liue loosely, wee shall be found like the foolish Virgins, that haue onely the blasing lampes of an outward Profession, and want the sauing oyle of grace, which may make vs acceptable vnto God at his appearing. Wee haue beene trayned vp in the Schoole of Christ; what a shame will it be, if when Christ comes to prooue vs, we be then found barren and voide of sound grace? Dauid bethinking himself of this trial of the Lord, doth conforme himselfe vnto the will of God: and therefore offereth himselfe vnto his tryall, saying,